Karnataka accident: Proper investigation will be conducted to find out cause, says CM

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed grief over the Chitradurga bus accident that killed at least nine people and assured a thorough investigation. Leaders across parties offered condolences as a speeding container truck hit a sleeper bus near Hiriyur, causing a deadly fire

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said that a proper investigation will be conducted into the Chitradurga bus accident in which at least nine people were killed.

He expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident.

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At least nine people were killed when a speeding container truck crashed into a private luxury sleeper bus, which caught fire under the impact, near Hiriyur here at 2 am on Thursday, a senior police official said.

The bus was on its way to Gokarna from Bengaluru.

“My heart shook hearing the news of the horrific accident between a lorry (container truck) and a bus near Chitradurga in which many passengers were burnt alive. It is regrettable that the journey of those who were going home for the Christmas holidays ended in such a tragedy,” Siddaramaiah posted on ‘X’.

He said, “A proper investigation into the accident will be conducted, and the cause will be found out. I pray that the souls of the deceased may rest in peace. I also share the grief of the families of those who died in the accident.”

Expressing shock over the accident and loss of lives, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar said, “I express my condolences to the deceased. I wish the injured a speedy recovery. May such tragedies not recur.” Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda and state BJP President B Y Vijayendra too have expressed shock over the incident. They have offered condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.